The authentic looking relic job on this 2015 Fender Custom Shop ‘62 Custom Tele means it could easily be mistaken for a real vintage Tele at first glance. It’s not all about the looks though, this one plays and sounds like a good old Tele should. A very cool guitar.

Introduced in late 2015 and discontinued in mid 2017, this limited run series of Fender Custom Shop 1962 Custom Telecaster reissues were available in three different sparkle finishes (red, blue and gold) as well as faded 3 colour sunburst like this example. All were given the relic treatment by the Custom Shop.

The level of ageing on this is superb and looks totally authentic. The mixture of lacquer checking, small nicks, dings, arm wear, buckle rash and natural looking play wear coupled with the faded three colour sunburst give this one a very realistic looking vintage vibe. It’s a stunning looking guitar. It has been gigged so there is an element of natural play wear too in one or two places but it all blends in seamlessly to give the look of a genuine vintage ’62 Custom Tele.

The pair of hand-wound Custom Shop pick-ups sound superb with plenty of bite and articulation. All three positions offer great useable tones whether played clean or overdriven. Basically everything you’d expect of a good Tele.

The previous owner fitted a 50’s style brass saddle bridge plate but the original 60’s style steel grooved saddle bridge plate is in the case. Having tried it with both configurations we have to say that the brass saddles do make a noticeable improvement in both tone and playability so we’ve set it up with these. But should you wish to go with the grooved steel saddles for complete vintage ’62 correctness it’s a simple job to change them over.

This run of guitars never shipped with a floor traveller but the full specs from Fender Customer Services are below:

Model Name: 1962 Telecaster® Custom Relic®
Model Number: 1551620812, 1551620813, 1551620818, 1551620865
Series: Time MachineTM
Body: Double-Bound Lightweight Alder
Neck: 1-Piece Tinted Quartersawn Maple with a Mid ’60s Oval “C” Shape,
(Relic® Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5” (241 mm) Radius
No. of Frets: 21, 6105 Narrow Jumbo
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Width @ Nut: Bone, 1.6875" (43 mm)
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Machine Heads: American Vintage Tuning Machines
Bridge: Vintage Style with 3 Threaded Steel Barrel Saddles
Pickguard: 3-Ply Mint Green
Pickups: Hand-Wound 1963 Tele® (Neck/Bridge),
(Custom Modern Wiring Circuit)
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Colors: (1551620812), Red Sparkle,
(1551620813), Blue Sparkle,
(1551620818), Gold Sparkle,
(1551620865), Faded 3-Color Sunburst,
(Relic® Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish)
Other Features: Double-Bound Body,
“Wing” String Tree,
Aged White Dot Position Inlays
Source: U.S. Fender Custom Shop
Accessories: Case, Strap, Certificate of Authenticity

This really is an impressive recreation from the Fender Custom Shop.

Comes with the original brown Tolex G&G case, the COA and case candy but is missing the strap.

Weight: 7lb 5oz
Pick up readings: neck 7.0k, bridge 6.85k

**Please ask about shipping outside the UK**